7-Day Itinerary for Shimla Manali in December 2023

1. Day 1: Shimla
   30 minutes (12.3 miles) from Chandigarh International Airport

   Explore the Ridge, visit the Jakhu Temple and take a toy train ride to Tara Devi Temple for a breathtaking view of the mountains.

2. Day 2: Shimla
   1 hour 15 minutes (31.4 miles) from Kufri

   Spend the morning at Kufri, a ski resort that also offers horse riding and yak rides. In the afternoon, visit the Christ Church and the Viceregal Lodge.

3. Day 3: Manali
   5 hours 45 minutes (248 miles) from Shimla

   Travel to Manali, stopping at Kullu on the way to visit the Kullu Shawl Factory and the Raghunath Temple. In Manali, explore the Old Manali village and hike to the Jogini Waterfall.

4. Day 4: Manali
   30 minutes (11.2 miles) from Solang Valley

   Spend the day at Solang Valley, which offers skiing, zorbing, paragliding, and snowmobiling. In the evening, visit the Hidimba Devi Temple.

5. Day 5: Manali
   1 hour 30 minutes (51.6 miles) from Manikaran

   Visit the hot springs and gurudwara at Manikaran, known for their spiritual and healing properties. On the way back, stop at Naggar Castle and the Nicholas Roerich Art Gallery.

6. Day 6: Shimla
   6 hours (152 miles) from Manali

   Travel back to Shimla, stopping at the Pinjore Gardens on the way. Spend the evening shopping at the Mall Road.

7. Day 7: Shimla
   20 minutes (3.1 miles) from Indian Institute of Advanced Study

   Visit the Indian Institute of Advanced Study in the morning, followed by a visit to the Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple. Spend the rest of the day exploring the local markets and trying out the street food.

Recommendations

Don't miss out on the ice skating rink in Shimla, or the Manali Gompa and Vashisth Temple in Manali. To maximize your fun, consider taking a guided trek to the Hampta Pass or the Chandrakhani Pass. Make sure to try out the local delicacies such as Himachali Dham, Chha Gosht, and Sidu.

Time and Costs Estimates

• Toy train ride to Tara Devi Temple (2 hours, £10)
• Horse riding at Kufri (2 hours, £15)
• Paragliding at Solang Valley (1 hour, £50)
• Hot springs at Manikaran (2 hours, £5)
• Guided trek to Hampta Pass (2 days, £150)
• Himachali Dham meal (1 hour, £5)
• Total Estimated Costs: £235